1. Introduction
Ps.37:4 “Delight yourself in the Lord and He shall give you the desires of your heart”.
Delight = OT6026 = Remain soft, pliable, yielded, easily moved or shaped.
The desires, passions and gifts in our life are connected to God’s purpose for our life.
To discover God’s purpose we need to identify desires/passions.
God guides us by (i) Desires of heart (ii) Wisdom (iii) Revelation – He speaks.
God gives us great freedom to take initiative e.g. Mt. 25:14+ Talents.
2. Kingdom of “Self”
(a) Culture is governed by principle of self interest
Eph.2:2 “…you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, that spirit now works in the children of disobedience”.
The world is governed by the principle of self interest - “What’s in this for me?”
Course = NT 165 = Age period of time, or path of successive ages of time.
= value, culture, cares, temptations
This path or way of life is governed and influenced by demonic powers.
Works = NT1754 = to energise, empower something to happen.
(b) This Culture originated in the Garden of Eden
Gen.3:4-6 “You shall be as God…”
The heart and core of Kingdom of Satan is self interest – I will ascend, I will be like God.
The temptation was to abandon trust and alignment with God and to advance own interest.
What’s in this for me? How do I get ahead? It’s all about me and my interest.
Adam and Eve abandoned commitment to the King and His Kingdom for self promotion.
(c) Selfish Ambition activates Demonic Spirits
Jam.3:13-17 “…bitter envy and self seeking = confusion and every evil thing”.
Selfish ambition – getting ahead at the expense of others is destructive.
The fruit of selfish ambition is confusion and demonic activity.
E.g. Mt.16:21-23 “Get behind me Satan”.
Jesus outlined God’s purpose for His life – suffering and death on the Cross and resurrection.
Peter’s response came out of selfish ambition
Jesus identified the energising power behind this thinking as demonic.
Jesus affirmed the need to deal with selfish ambition – using others to advance self.
Jesus revealed the Cross is at the core of His Kingdom – it is a way of life.
(d) Jesus wrestled to Overcome Selfish Ambition
Mt.27:39 “Oh my Father, if it be possible let this cup pass from me”.
Lk.22:42-44 “He being in agony prayed more earnestly”.
The natural man always resists pain, suffering, sacrifice – Jesus wrestled to gain victory – surrender to the Father’s Will.
His personal desire – avoid the Cross. His life commitment yield to the Father.
3. The Cross is the Door to the Kingdom of God
Heb.2:2 “Looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the Cross, despising the shame”.
Jesus focus was on the resurrection life released by surrender to Father on the Cross.
Bible: References to Oak Tree – prophetic picture of the Cross.
Oak = OT424 = strong tree, to be strong.
(i) Place of burying idols – substitutes for God
– Gen.35:4 Jacob buried idols.
(ii) Place of grieving over disappointments and losses
– Gen.35:8 Jacob buried wife.
(iii) Place of burying our defeats, failures, pride
– 1 Chron.10:12 Saul.
(iv) Place of facing and overcoming fears, self preservation
– 1 Sam. 17:19 David slew Goliath.
(v) Place of bringing to death selfish ambition, hidden agendas, bitterness.
- 2 Sam 18:19 Absolum slain in tree.
(vi) Place of decision whose voice you will listen to
– 1 K.13:14 Young prophet – listened to voice of old prophet instead of personal revelation.
(vii) Place of decision to covenant to serve God.
- Josh 24:26.
(viii) Place of calling to fulfil God’s purpose in life.
- Jud.6:11 Gideon – received call to nation.
Each of us must face and deal with the core issue of self centredness.
Recognise and reject the common world view – what’s in this for me?
This mindset uses people and God to advance own interests.
Mt.25:14 – Parable of servants
All servants were given gifts, abilities.
The expectation on all was the same – be productive.
Successful servants
1) Took initiative )
2) Took risks ) = commended
3) Had the interest of the master in their heart ) increase
One Talent servant
1) Took no initiate/risk
2) Had his own interests in mind
3) Rebuked for being a negative influence and lost opportunities.